Dr. Michael Mosley is a weight loss guru who promises fast results with programs including the 5:2 Diet, Fast 800 and Fast 800 Keto. On his official website, he debunks a popular myth about weight loss.
Many people believe that losing a lot of weight all at once is unsustainable and that dieters are doomed to lose weight again after a while — and then some.
However, weight loss expert Michael Mosley believes just the opposite, that it is possible to lose weight very quickly and maintain positive results.
This, he explains, is because many people are put off by a lack of progress on the slow and steady diet.
Dr. Michael points to a review article in the New England Journal of Medicine titled “Myths, Assumptions and Facts About Obesity.”
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“After looking at a lot of studies comparing fast versus slow steady weight loss, they concluded that fast weight loss is better than slow weight loss,” says Dr. Michael.
The expert also pointed to an Australian study in which 200 obese volunteers were put on a diet program.
Half were asked to follow a low-calorie diet (fewer than 800 calories per day) for 12 weeks. The other half were asked to cut 500 calories per day for 36 weeks.
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What's more, both groups of dieters were followed for three years, and while both groups gained weight, it was a similar amount.
Dietitian Katrina Purcell, who led the study, said: “Our results suggest that weight loss goals are more likely to be achieved and dropout rates are lower when weight loss is accomplished quickly.”
However, Dr. Michael added an important caveat – rapid weight loss is not for everyone, and if dieters decide to attempt rapid weight loss, they must maintain the proper nutritional balance.
Dr. Michael's own diet for rapid weight loss, called the “Very Fast 800,” sees dieters eat just 800 calories a day for eight weeks.
This is designed to “start significant weight loss and reset their metabolism”.
“The key to feeling full while restricting calories is eating a moderately low-carb Mediterranean-style diet rich in protein, fiber, and healthy fats,” explains Dr. Michael.
“If this approach works for you, we recommend you stay in this phase for at least two weeks, but you can follow the plan for up to 12 weeks depending on your goals and how much weight you have to lose.”
The results have been huge, with experts claiming a typical weight loss after the program of over 10kg and lasting 12 months.
Following the Mediterranean diet, dieters are advised to eat more vegetables, low-calorie fruits such as apples and pears, nuts, seeds, beans, whole grains, fish and seafood, poultry, eggs, dairy products and healthy fats, and stay away from processed foods.
